Parole Board refuses Jon Venables’ latest release bid

The Parole Board has refused Jon Venables’ latest bid for release, deciding he remains unsuitable for parole because of continuing risks to children. Venables remains in prison following a hearing held in private on October 19-21, 2026.

The panel’s decision summary said it was concerned Venables could return to viewing child sexual abuse images and might progress to offences involving contact with children. It assessed both risks as capable of causing serious harm. The findings are the Board’s assessment, rather than a report of further offences.

Venables told the panel he accepted that he needed to undertake more offending-related work in custody and was not seeking release. The Board was nevertheless required to consider whether he could be safely released. Its summary said the panel was not satisfied that he was suitable for release.

The hearing considered written material and oral evidence from prison and community probation officers, three psychologists and a psychiatrist. The panel also considered Venables’ progress in custody and the circumstances of his offending. The decision summary described his remorse as prolonged and extreme, while identifying continuing concerns...